Are you taking part in Stir Up Sunday today? Stir up Sunday is celebrated the last Sunday before the season of advent when traditionally people made their Christmas puddings. I’ve already blogged about Lyle’s Mary Christmases campaign which sounds fun but I was contacted by Yeo Valley too, who think 2013 is all about the revival of the homemade Christmas Pudding; apparently it’s falling out of favour as the traditional pudding on Christmas Day. I’ll admit to enjoying some Christmas pud despite over indulging with turkey and pigs in blankets. How about you? Yeo Valley offered to send me a…
-
-
I’ve had a small pack of oven baked clay for ages and really wanted to use it to make something for Christmas. As I’d never experimented with it before I just decided to play around with it, so set out some greaseproof paper, a small rolling pin and some cookie cutters and stamps. I divided the clay in two and warmed it up by rolling it in my hands for a couple of minutes. Then I rolled it out between two sheets of greaseproof paper until it was 2-3mm thick and cut out some shapes. I thought a little garland…
-
As part of our role as Playmobil Playologists we were sent a Playmobil Pirates Treasure Cove advent calendar. Playmobil produce 5 advent calendars with different themes: Forest Winter Wonderland, Police, Pony Farm, Princess Wedding and Pirates Treasure Cove. We were sent the pirate themed advent calendar and behind each door is a piece of Playmobil which will build up during December to make a pirate scene. It’s a little difficult to review something without opening it so I thought I’d share some pictures from the Playmobil website. My son loves Advent and I think it’s a great way to mark…
-
A couple of years ago I discovered the Portable North Pole where you can make your own personalised message from Santa. I just loved the idea and was just a little obsessed with the message we made for our son. At 3 years old he is very interested in Christmas (today he has been writing his Christmas list) so we will definitely be doing it again for both the children this year. The people behind the Portable North Pole have recently launched their first Santa approved game for 2013: PNP Santa Sprint for iPhone and iPad. You can enjoy the…
-
I like to think I’m pretty organised but can definitely empathise with a recent survey by Post-it Index which found that 83 per cent of women have to flag up articles on a weekly basis, as they’re just too busy to read them properly at the time. I’m constantly flagging emails, blog posts and tasty looking recipes but find it really hard to ever get back to look at them…. Despite living in this digital world I much prefer reading magazines and books, perhaps because they’re more visible and not hidden away when I close the lid of my laptop…
-
I love making my own stationery and with Little Sis celebrating her 2nd birthday soon I wanted to be organised and have some thank you cards ready. Her birthday is only 4 weeks before Christmas and in previous years I’ve sent joint birthday and Christmas thank you cards. Not this year! I was asked to try out Instajunction which is is full of beautiful & unique products and gift ideas, at sensible prices, made using your own Instagram pictures. I just love using Instagram, (are you following me?) and so was really happy to try it out. You can make lots…
-
I’ve written about Natures Purest before, they sell a range of lovely gifts which would make super-soft presents for special babies this Christmas and they’re all made from 100% organic cotton. The ‘My First Christmas’ includes a range of plush toys in adorable Christmas outfits, together with a choice of comforter, bootees, a teether, dribble bib or other gifts each packaged in a beautiful Natures Purest stocking. The products are made to the highest ethical standards and many are created from organically grown, naturally coloured cotton free from pesticides, chemicals and dyes which make them perfect for a baby’s sensitive…
-
Last week I signed up for my first Christmas craft swap organised by Laura at Dropstitch. It was the first one I’d seen and swapping parcels of crafty goodness always gets me in the mood for the festive season. The swap was simple – make four oops five (so glad I re-read the instructions!) handmade Christmas ornaments. Felt peppermint Christmas ornaments I had a good look through my craft books and Pinterest boards and found some very cute felt peppermint Christmas ornaments which I knew would be perfect. I love working with felt and the felt version of any Christmas…
-
Today was a real pleasure as I got a chance to attend the second Mumsnet Blogfest. Last year was amazing, (was it really 12 months ago?) so I had high expectations for today. The day started off well with a lovely walk to the station. Before I knew it I had swapped my rural idyll for Kings Cross and couldn’t resist a quick look around the shops. First stop was Cath Kidston where I treated myself to a new cover for my iPad mini featuring her little birds print, a tin of Christmas mints and a roll of Happy Xmas!…